Page 47 of Touch in the Dark

“Trust me, I’m better off steering clear of him,” he glances over when Thomas gets out of the car. “My friends are having a farewell party for me on Friday. I’d like you to come.”

“I guess I need to see if I’m sticking around. Can I let you know?”

He nods and steps back to let Thomas take my bags, I smile and thank him. I’d be lost without Thomas getting me around the city.

“Listen, I know a few people, I could get you some work until you figure things out.”

“Like what?”

“Photoshoots, commercials. If you stay, I’ll ask, let you know? I hate that they did this because of me,” he holds his hands up when I glare and open my mouth. “I know, stop blaming myself. Okay,” he laughs and takes my hand. “I’ll find something to keep you in the city.”

“So I can come to your party?”

“Well, yeah. And that skank still follows my social media, so I’ll spend all night posting pictures of us together.”

We laugh some more, I agree to let him call me with anything that comes up, and he kisses me before letting me get into the car. Thomas asks where to, I make a snap decision hoping it isn’t a wasted journey. I don’t want to go back to Remi’s and mope. Thomas agrees with a polite smile and pulls out into traffic. I don’t know how he has the patience to drive all over, but he always seems happy. I guess being Remi Molyneaux’s personal driver has its perks. I know Remi treats and pays all of the people who work for him extremely well.

I tap out a text to Brooke as we set off towards the Financial District. It shouldn’t take long to get there given we are only in Midtown.

Elsa: Liquid lunch?

Brooke: You’re in luck, not only are those the magic words, but I’ve just found myself with a couple of free hours. Where are we going?

Elsa: You tell me, but I’m thinking cocktails

Brooke: I knew I liked you

Elsa: I’ll be outside your office in about ten minutes with Remi’s driver

Brooke: Is he cute?

Elsa: Probably, to his wife of thirty years

Brooke: Balls

Elsa: See you out front

“You always look so perfect and put together,” I tell Brooke as she settles down at the high table beside me.

Thomas drove us over to the South Street Seaport and we went into the first bar we found. We managed to get a window seat. Brooke is wearing a plum-coloured skirt suit, it sounds hideous but in reality, is really elegant and tasteful and suits her colouring perfectly. She’s paired it with nude heels that make her legs look miles long. We’re still in the financial district so there are a lot of businessmen here, the majority of them are staring at Brooke. My torn jeans, bright red sneakers and beanie hat put me out of place, but I don’t care.

“This is just my work persona,” she waves a hand.

Can’t say I’ve ever seen Brooke looking anything but perfectly polished. In fact, I’m pretty sure she doesn’t actually own a pair of sneakers, never mind a pair of flip flops. But I love her for showing up for me. I filled her in on my shitty day on the car ride over.

When the cute young server arrives with our cocktails, I expect her to say something to him because Brooke has to flirt, it’s like a built-in function, but she picks up her drink and takes a few sips as she looks at me. “I can’t believe those assholes fired you. The reason they gave is bullshit. Women can be such bitches.”

I shrug and sip my drink. “That’s for her to worry about, not me.”

Brooke narrows her eyes at me. “You and Jenna are like two peas in a pod. She’d say that shit.”

“It’s not the end of the world. It was crap, yes, but it’s not like I lost my dream job or anything.”

“I bet it’s a shit movie anyway,” she taps her glass with mine.

“Actually, it is a really good-”

“It’s shit, they’re all shit, the actors are shit and that bitch is the shittiest shit of them all.” I’m laughing loudly before she even finishes her sentence. “I’m serious. I will boycott that movie.”

---